I need to quickly make a decision and am looking for advice from those of you who have been there. I am booked on two cruises right now only because we were uncertain of what itinerary is best. I need to cancel one asap. One goes to tracy arm fjord the other up to Hubbard..which am I best with? Am I correct that Tracy arm has very little glacier and is mostly green mountain atmosphere? I would like to see some glacier being I live in the mountains...black bear...eagles...etc. I would keep this itinerary "best price" if I knew I would see nice sized ice. The itinerary with Hubbard is much more money but if I had to in order to see a glacier..I would spend it. please help thanks

f-mattox

10-04-2010 09:23 AM

Conditions change from year to year so nobody can predict what you are going to see or not see on any particular cruise. but here is a link to some photos on Webshots of Tracy Arm; it looks pretty good to me.

We have been in Tracy's Arm twice, on another cruise we could not go up the arm because of all the ice coming out.
You will see more Glacier type ice in Hubbard , but will see some in Tracy's arm. I like Tracy's Arm because you are in a narrow arm and it is very scenic. With that said my trips to Glacier Bay were amazing.

Wow!! very nice photos. thank you for sharing. just curious...why does it seem like the ship was empty? I would of thought it to be jammed packed with people while cruising through.
it is very beautiful indeed but would you say that the area of hubbard would be more to see if this trip was for a present of someone who wants to see glaciers? I would rather not spend the extra money...college needs...but I want to give her the best trip I can?

f-mattox

10-04-2010 10:37 AM

Quote:

Wow!! very nice photos. thank you for sharing. just curious...why does it seem like the ship was empty? I would of thought it to be jammed packed with people while cruising through.

Well for one thing, it is very cold near the glaciers; people tend to go on deck for a while and then retreat to the warmth of the interior for a hot chocolate or Coffee Royale. And then to, being near the glaciers is almost a religious experience; the ship is going very slowly, it is very quiet, and people just tend to not talk very much or gather together in groups--except when there is something of special interest to see, like a glacier calving.

If you're wanting to give somebody "the best trip you can," and since it could be some time before you or they go back, I would not be concerned with saving money for something else; go with the Hubbard itinerary.

kmathi

10-04-2010 11:41 AM

Thank you. Likely a once in a life time. After seeing some footage and pictures. though beautiful, the tracy arm seems more less inclined to have ice and I was not sure if it increased at certain times of the year or was basically what I was seeing. Going in August. The trip is a gift for someone who has it in her head she needs to see Alaska/Glaciers. My guess is that Hubbard is my best bet. thank you both for your help and input.

so confused!!! sat down last night with my husband and when he saw the pictures he was very impressed with the Tracy Arm...thinks it would be great to see.....
it is beautiful..but "I THINK" that the hubbard is all ice and what one would expect to see in Alaska right? and the Arm is a mix of mostly green with small and limited glaciers?